Member Reviews

Edies life has been transformed! And in ways she never expected. This book is not about what happens, it’s about life, day to day, the small stuff, the everyday. And in writing about that the author has lifted it higher than you could have imagined. And as Edies life is renewed so too is your own outlook and expectations. Remarkable

Was this review helpful?

This is a beautifully written novel with characters that I really loved.
I loved how the theme of the story is presented with humor and honesty.
I truly enjoyed this novel.

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I’ve read most of Jane Linfoots books that are set in St Aidens, so I was delighted to receive this one to read and review.
I was not disappointed.
In this book we meet Edie who after suffering from a stroke, is visiting her Aunt Jo in an attempt to rest and recover. What follows is an epic summer of change, friendship and of course romance.
I loved this book, I loved all the characters and I loved being back in St Aidens. Please write more about Edie and Barney, maybe they could visit a little wedding shop.
Thanks for allowing me to read.

Was this review helpful?

Brilliant read. Really really enjoyed this book. It made me feel I wanted to be involved and there within the town!!

Was this review helpful?

What a fantastic book, you will love this book and great characters , nothing was rushed brilliant page turner.

Was this review helpful?

The writing style sure is different, which I do prefer over something I feel I have read a hundred times before. But for me as a non-English-speaker it was at times also a bit difficult to always grasp everything. I struggled the first couple of chapters and wasn't sure if I wanted to read on.

But then the story intrigued me. A lot! It is about Edie, who has a stroke at the age of 32 and now has problems with reading, writing or even just thinking about certain words or names. Like the one of the aunt she is visiting in St. Aidan for the summer and where she is supposed to recuperate. I liked how Jane Linfoot portrayed Edie and the challenges she is facing now, that was really well done.
One character, Barney, fittingly compares her to Bridget Jones, because they are both a bit prone to accidents, full of unrealised potential, hot and don't know about it, have a penchant for bunny ears, and even wrinkle their noses the same. Lastly he adds: "You know the biggest reason you're like Bridget? Because you're frigging amazing, and exactly like her, you can't even see that."

I also became very fond of the community in St. Aidan, and how they all helped Edie to overcome the hurdles. I just couldn't understand why she never considered to stay there although she really feels at home there with those people.

So, this is a chick-lit with quite a different main character, a serious topic, told in a unique writing style but everything still rather light-hearted and most of all funny.

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful book filled with friendship, love and hope. Edie Browne is a little bit different from your average heroine as she is recovering from a stroke and this charts her road back to recovery. I found her story beautifully written and really made me think of the everyday actions and grasp of words that I take for granted, but can so easily be taken away. That said this is not a sorrowful tale, although it did have me reaching for a tissue on occasion, but I'd say the ratio of happy and sad causes of this were about 50/50. Mainly it makes you smile and appreciate the value of friendship and how family is what you make it. One that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Was this review helpful?

This was a slow starter for me, and I think I may be older than the intended demographic. I swear if Edie referenced "lippy" or her capri pants one more time I was going to hurl. Not to mention all of the terrible music references. But I pushed on and ended up liking the story overall.

The characters in St Aidan were all charming and just quirky enough to hold your attention. I do think this would benefit from some other title as "cottage by the sea" just doesn't seem to fit here.

One perplexing thing is that Edie spends the whole book relearning how to read by using very beginner books and forgetting very basic words to the point where her Auntie Jo is adding stickers for all common words in the house... but at the end of the book she magically can give a full fledged speech to someone. Just didn't seem to fit in with the timeline.

Overall a cute escapist read set in Cornwall. Could have done without more Poldark references but that seems to be the hot thing these days.

Was this review helpful?

Never read this author before but will definitely look out for more books by her. Edie Browne has a stroke and this is a good insight to what happens with people who've had a stroke. Added with a good story line of Edie going to keep an eye on her Aunt Josie who has lost her husband. and how Edie copes with her illness along with the new friends she meets in St. Aidan.

Was this review helpful?

I started this book, and felt like it had so much potential. The main character having suffered medically, and having to adjust her life after such a traumatic event *no spoilers*. And then staying with her aunt, which brought new challenges! But I got 25% of the way through and didn’t feel like much has happened to keep me interested. It was obvious that a love interest was sparking and I just found it to be predictable and slightly boring because it didn’t live up to its potential. It’s a shame as I’ve enjoyed other reads by this author, but was let down with this one.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This is a real uplifting and feel good read after someone has come through a stroke. I absolutely loved it.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a lovely, refreshing book to read. A real feel go story, perfect for holiday reading and not your typical chick lit book either.
I loved the story and the style of writing with its ups and downs in the story which sometimes made me wonder if there would be a happy ending.
Not wanting to spoil anything for other readers I will let them find out for themselves.
I will be looking out for more books by this author.

Was this review helpful?

5☆ Uplifting, Inspiring Must Read!

Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea is a beautifully Compelling, Endearing and Inspiring read, that I couldn't put down!

The book opens with Edie Brown hurtling from a plane whilst attempting a sky dive for the first time.
You see Edie is 32years old and trying to get her life back after suffering from a life changing Ordeal most likely caused by the sky dive.

But in order to recuperate and work on getting her memory and reading back she decides to head off to Cornwall to Stay with her Aunty Josie in the gorgeous and quaint Periwinkle Cottage.

Aunt Josie has been living like a Hermit since her husband died and she has really let Periwinkle Cottage get a little neglected.
Edie is determined to change all that, getting Aunt Josie back into society and giving Periwinkle Cottage some much needed TLC.

But can Edie and Josie help each other?
Will Periwinkle Cottage help Edie heal and recuperate?

Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea is a beautifully Warm, Compelling and Poignant Read.
It has a sprinkle of humour, a glimmer of Charm and Romance, beautiful friendships, it's Uplifting yet so very Poignant.
The Characters were perfectly written, relatable, loveable, strong and inspiring.
It's a heart warming story of Second Chances, a Journey of Self Discovery, Reconnecting with Family, learning to Love and accept.

If you are looking for a Chick Lit/ Women's Fiction that's a Heart Warming, Uplifting, Inspiring, Cosy Romance, with endearing and loveable characters and a gorgeous location to get lost in for a few hours, then you will absolutely adore Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea!

Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

What a great read! It's been an absolute pleasure to enjoy this one.

Edie Browne takes part in a parachute jump not realising that the events which follow hot on the heels of her landing will change her life for the foreseeable future. Slowly getting life back to normal, Edie heads off to stay with her Aunty Josie where she comes to understand that she's not the only person in need of a little help to get on with her life. As they both begin to move on with their lives, they make a whole bunch of friends and come to appreciate the Cornish coast. Life, however, is never straightforward and there are difficulties to be negotiate and overcome . . .

This is a wonderfully involved story; the characters are fabulously created and the writing is well structured resulting in a darn good book! I loved everything about it, and got really involved with everything happening on the pages. Superbly written and very moreish, this is an appealing story with so much going on that it kept my attention all the way through. With lots of humour, I was back to giggling non-stop and grinning from beginning to end. I have no hesitation in giving this a full five stars.

My thanks to publisher HarperImpulse for my copy via Rachel's Random Resources, and especially to Rachel for inviting me to be a part of this Blog Tour. All opinions stated her are entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

This book was tough to read at times, however I did enjoy it in the end and did find it positive and uplifting. If books about illness and recovery may be triggers for you, you may want to dip a toe in first before reading this one all the way through.
It was a beautiful story of resotration and hope when Edie Brown's circumstances would say otherwise. It's a battle for her to come out on top but a delightful way to show the strength of community and friendship.
ARC from Netgalley

Was this review helpful?

This was book with lots of potential when I read the premise. Edie is a young, free-spirited girl who has a big medical scare and decides she is going to live the rest of her rehabilitation in a cottage by the sea.
I really struggled with the narrative. I didn’t feel connected with any of the characters. The romance was very platonic and first and when it developed it never truly sizzled. Not really my cup of tea.

Was this review helpful?

Wow! Where do I start? Edie B is categorically a character I will never forget and this book has moved me beyond all words - I'm quite simply speechless.

The narrative speaks of starting over from scratch and the struggles this entails. This happens when Eddie B's health hits a stumbling block along the road of life and she is left facing the world in a completely different frame of light. Tasks that used to come easy in the past are now a struggle and my heart broke in two when she called her aunt 'Aunty Thing' having blanked at the recollection of her name.

Edie B is first and foremost the heartbeat that drives this story and the shinning star lighting the way. I don't think I have ever met such a special and dear character in my whole reading history. She will captivate your heart in an unexpected fashion and not let go. Jane Linfoot has created an absolute treasure in Edie B and I know you will all love her as much as I do.

Watching Edie B work relentlessly to overcome her battles was an honour and a privilege and makes you reassess your priorities and values in life. Her heartbreaking moment of grieving for the girl she used to be had me reaching for the Kleenex in a rather undignified fashion, but marked how much she had touched my heart.

This book is so much more than the chocolate box image gracing the cover.....it is a raw, real and truthful look at life in all its ugly glory and it is a story that will stay with me for a lifetime.

Was this review helpful?

Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea is a wonderfully uplifting novel! I didn’t realize going into the novel that the book was going to be as emotional as it is and found myself pleasantly surprised! This book is truly one of growth and finding oneself again. I loved Edie to pieces and seeing her struggle and come back from her issues was beautiful. The friendships made within the village where Edie is living were also amazing, and I loved the strong connections they all had.

If you enjoy realistic and heartwarming read this is the novel for you! I was pleasantly surprised with how everything turned out and am very much looking forward to more books by the author in the future!

Was this review helpful?

One minute Edie is throwing herself out of a plane, the next she is the on road to recovery after suffering a stroke. Edie heads to Cornwall to live with her Aunty Josie so she can recuperate and get her life back on track... after all if you can jump out of plane you can do anything right? Arriving at Periwinkle Cottage she discover she isn't the only one in need of some help, her Aunty it appears her Aunty has taken to living like hermit after the tragic death of her husband... can the pair together overcome their trauma's begin to enjoy life again?

This novel is a perfect heart warming, funny and poignant read! Linfoot creates a insightful, comic and ultimately uplifting insight into moving on with after the unthinkable. The whole cast of characters are strong, relatable and endearing, Edie especially as she is determined to be positive in the face of agony and look on the bright side with her epic achievements of the day. Set in gorgeous picturesque Cornwall, it's an absolute must read for all rom-com fans.

Was this review helpful?

There is so much more to this book than first meets the eye. In fact, the same can be said for Edie Browne. The synopsis tells how Edie’s life changed and she has to relearn things, so many things that are taken for granted that are not even thought about until they have been taken away…

I met Edie as she was parachuting from a plane. Then I met her as she is making her way to Cornwall and I gradually got to know her and what had happened to her. She is trying to work out who she is now as she is still reeling from her illness and struggling to find her feet.

Moving to Cornwall with her Auntie Jo gives Edie a chance to leave the hustle and bustle of city life. Instead, she can chill out and adjust to a much more relaxed tempo. In helping herself, Edie also finds that she is not the only one in need of help. Auntie Jo needs help with the house and renovations on that and the barn-yard open some exciting new opportunities. Auntie Jo needs Edie just as much as Edie needs Auntie Jo!

Friendship and laughter accompany this book and is such a large part of it. I loved the crafting community and it is so appropriate for small Cornish villages. The mentions of neighbours and friends helping out and lending a hand is another thing I love about the Cornish community. The author has picked up and used this so well and has wrapped it around and into Edie’s story so well.

The author has used Edie’s illness and highlighted that it is not people of a certain age that have illnesses, it can hit people of any age. The use of the illness defining Edie at the start of the story and her struggle to come to terms with changes was something that really touched me. It is a heartfelt read with an important aspect to it, but also not at all morbid or depressing although the frustration and despair are there, it also has a humour to it that is just the right balance. It gives it a more upbeat feel.

This was a wonderful story with so many things that I thoroughly enjoyed. Some fabulous characters with various backgrounds and stories to them, the Cornish setting is a big thing for me and she was spot on with that. The plot was interesting and also very addictive to read.

Edie Brownes Cottage by the Sea gets a Highly Recommended by Me!

Was this review helpful?